Norris boosts McLaren title hopes with sprint pole

Norris boosts McLaren title hopes with sprint pole
McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain in action during sprint qualifying at the Lusail International Circuit in Lusail, Qatar, ahead of the Qatar Formula One Grand Prix, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP)
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Updated 29 November 2024
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Norris boosts McLaren title hopes with sprint pole

Norris boosts McLaren title hopes with sprint pole
  • Norris clocked a best time in one minute and 21.012 seconds to outpace Russell, the winner in Nevada, by just 0.063 seconds at the end of a closely-fought session
  • Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren was third

DOHA: Lando Norris lifted the spirits of his title-chasing McLaren team on Friday when he powered to pole position ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell in qualifying for Saturday’s sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix.
After a disappointing outing in Las Vegas, where his drivers’ title hopes ended as Max Verstappen clinched his fourth championship with Red Bull, the British driver was back on top form under the lights at the Lusail International Circuit.
Norris clocked a best time in one minute and 21.012 seconds to outpace Russell, the winner in Nevada, by just 0.063 seconds at the end of a closely-fought session. Oscar Piastri in the second McLaren was third.
“It’s tough,” said Norris of his laps and the speed of the track.
“It is so quick around here. It feels like the quickest of the year and in the final sector you feel like you are just hanging on.
“I want to win and I want to win every session as a driver. Our target tomorrow is a one-two so we maximize the points for our constructors’ but we know Mercedes and Ferrari will be quick.”
The Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc qualified fourth and fifth ahead of Verstappen and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in the second Mercedes, an outcome that was not enough to buoy hopes that the Italian team can stop McLaren claiming their first constructors’ title in 26 years.
Pierre Gasly took an impressive eighth for Alpine ahead of Nico Hulkenberg of Haas and RB’s Liam Lawson.
McLaren hold a 24 points lead in the teams’ title race with 608 to Ferrari on 584.
With two Grands Prix remaining, including one sprint, McLaren can clinch the title with a dominant weekend ahead of Ferrari in both the sprint and Sunday’s Grand Prix.
In cooling conditions with temperatures of 19 (air) and 22 (track) falling as darkness descended, Kevin Magnussen set the early benchmark time for Haas in 1:23.750 before the ‘big boys’ joined the fray, Sainz soon going top.
Norris then gave notice of his intentions with a lap in 1:22.785, but it was not enough as speeds increased with the drop in temperature and Ferrari took advantage with Leclerc and Sainz on top.
With three minutes remaining in SQ1, Norris bounced back in 1:22.021, a time Russell equalled exactly with the same lap time. Piastri, last year’s winner, went fourth, six-tenths off his team-mate’s best time.
Norris trimmed his time to 1:21.356 in the final seconds to finish four-tenths clear of Sainz, six-tenths ahead of Russell and Verstappen with Hamilton fifth.
But it was another painful session for Sergio Perez of Red Bull who exited in Q1 along with RB’s Yuki Tsunoda, Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, Zhou Guanyu of Sauber and Williams’ Franco Colapinto.
As prescribed, all of the cars ran on medium compound tires and nearly all of them were under investigation by the stewards for driving too slowly, at times, in SQ1 as they ‘backed up’ to seek a ‘tow’.
The SQ2 segment began with Verstappen on top before Leclerc took over in 1:22.130 and then Piastri in 1:22.050, the leading teams all very clothed matched.
With two minutes to go, Norris was back in control in 1:22.231 ahead of Russell and Piastri with Verstappen fourth until Hamilton knocked him down to fifth ahead of the two Ferraris.
Out this time went two-time champion Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin, Williams’ Alex Albon, Valtteri Bottas of Sauber, Lance Stroll in the second Aston Martin and Magnussen.
The top ten shootout began with Leclerc in a hurry to clock 1:21.706, as they all switched to softs, Norris lapping in 1:21.012 for top spot with Piastri a tenth down in second. McLaren looked imperious.


Hamilton set for Mercedes swansong at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Hamilton set for Mercedes swansong at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Updated 05 December 2024
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Hamilton set for Mercedes swansong at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Hamilton set for Mercedes swansong at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
  • After six Formula 1 championships in 12 years, Ferrari-bound driver will end his association with German team at Yas Marina Circuit
  • With qualifying sometimes proving a challenge, Hamilton was unable to compete for regular podiums, instead having to settle for top-10 finishes

ABU DHABI: After 12 years, 245 grands prix, 78 pole positions and 84 race and sprint wins, Lewis Hamilton will end his Mercedes career this weekend at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

The seven-time F1 world champion, who announced his departure from the Silver Arrows to rivals Ferrari in 2025 ahead of the start of this season, has had a mixed year with an unpredictable car that has performed at its best in cooler temperatures.

Hamilton’s one race win on the road this season at Silverstone in Great Britain was followed up by a second-place finish behind team-mate George Russell at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium, before Russell was disqualified. However, with qualifying sometimes proving a challenge, Hamilton was unable to compete for regular podiums, instead having to settle for top-10 finishes.

Cooler temperatures at November’s Las Vegas Grand Prix presented the team with another one-two finish as Russell claimed victory.

In Qatar last weekend, however, Hamilton felt that he was “just slow” in the Sprint Qualifying, crossing the line in seventh place, five places behind George Russell’s front row start. After qualifying in P6, his grand prix race was also challenging, and following a puncture, a dejected Hamilton finished in 12th place.

Hamilton will be going up against Charles Leclerc, into his seventh season with Ferrari, and a consistently quick qualifier. Much like this season with George Russell, Hamilton may see his best chance to beat his new team-mate over the course of a race, rather than through qualifying alone.

The second half of this season has demonstrated that Ferrari will be one of a number of teams to compete for both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles in 2025 ahead of the introduction of the new F1 regulations in 2026.

Hamilton, who will not take part in next week’s post-season test at Yas Marina Circuit for either Mercedes or Ferrari, acknowledged the sentimental weight of the transition and admitted that he has begun to reflect.

Ahead of last weekend’s Qatar race weekend, Hamilton said: “I sat down with (race engineer) Bono and I’m like, ‘Jeez, this is our last two races together. Can you believe it?’ There’s going to be so many of those moments … where it’ll be like, ‘Shoot, it’s nearly it.’ It’s been emotional through the whole year. It’s definitely going to feel odd, sad, but we’ll try not to let that deter us from our job, which is to try and win these final races, if possible.”


Messi and Inter Miami to open Club World Cup against Egypt’s Al-Ahly, while Real Madrid face Saudi club Al-Hilal

Messi and Inter Miami to open Club World Cup against Egypt’s Al-Ahly, while Real Madrid face Saudi club Al-Hilal
Updated 05 December 2024
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Messi and Inter Miami to open Club World Cup against Egypt’s Al-Ahly, while Real Madrid face Saudi club Al-Hilal

Messi and Inter Miami to open Club World Cup against Egypt’s Al-Ahly, while Real Madrid face Saudi club Al-Hilal
  • Real Madrid will face the Saudi club Al-Hilal in Group H
  • Emirati club Al-Ain and Morocco’s Wydad AC will face English Premier League powerhouse Manchester City and Juventus in Group G

MIAMI: Lionel Messi and Inter Miami will open the Club World Cup against Egyptian club Al-Ahly, with Palmeiras and Porto also part of that group for the tournament that will take place in the US next year.
Real Madrid will face the Saudi club Al-Hilal in Group H — a showdown of superstars, with Kylian Mbappé for Real Madrid and Neymar for Al-Hilal.
The draw was held Thursday in Miami, with the 32 teams finally finding out their first three opponents in the newly expanded event.
Emirati club Al-Ain and Morocco’s Wydad AC will face English Premier League powerhouse Manchester City and Juventus in Group G.
The tournament will be held in the US from Jun. 15 to Jul. 13, using 12 stadiums in 11 different cities. The final will be at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the same stadium that will play host to the 2026 World Cup final.
Among the powerhouse clubs in the field are: Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan.
There’re also the four highest-ranked teams from South America: Flamengo, Palmeiras, River Plate and Fluminense.
And Messi’s team, as a representative of the host nation, get the distinction of playing the first match. It’ll happen at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
“It’s about inclusivity, it’s about bringing clubs from all over the world, the 32 best clubs and best players from all over the world together,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.
Some would argue it’s not the 32 “best” clubs. Inter Miami’s selection was widely panned by critics, the volume of that only rising after the team that won the Supporters Shield as the best MLS team in the regular season — with a record-setting point total — lost in Round 1 of the MLS Cup playoffs.
“There’s no controversy,” Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said.
Major League Soccer got two teams: Seattle and Inter Miami. The Sounders qualified for the field, and Inter Miami was placed into it as the host nation’s representative.
Other opening matchups include: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atletico Madrid and Brazilian club Botafogo playing at Seattle in Group B, Monterrey against Inter Milan in Group E, and Real Madrid facing Al-Hilal in Group H.
The club competition uses the traditional 32-team format used by the World Cup from 1998 to 2022. Eight round-robin groups of four teams each were drawn Thursday, with the top two from each group advancing to a knockout bracket of 16.
Europe got 12 spots and South America six to lead the field, while Africa, Asia and North America all got four — with Inter Miami essentially a fifth from North America since it has host status. Oceania got one spot.
“There is no rule that said the MLS Cup winner needs to be in the Club World Cup,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. “I have no interest in anything other than what I think is going to be best for the showcase, best for our league. I am supportive of the decision that FIFA made and I’m excited to put Miami and Seattle in a global media deal and be shown around the world.”
Mas said Inter Miami getting the privilege of playing the opening match of the tournament at home is “a testament to our community, the soccer culture that’s here.”
“Who would have told us five years ago, with no club, that we’d be here today at a draw with the best teams in the world,” Mas said. “That’s what we aspire to. That’s what we dream of.”
The groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al-Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.


Moroccan amateur Adam Bresnu in contention at PIF Saudi International

Moroccan amateur Adam Bresnu in contention at PIF Saudi International
Updated 05 December 2024
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Moroccan amateur Adam Bresnu in contention at PIF Saudi International

Moroccan amateur Adam Bresnu in contention at PIF Saudi International
  • Bresnu follows opening round 66 with solid 68 to lie three shots off the lead that is being held by a group of four that includes Cam Smith
  • Saudi players Khalid Attieh, Saud Al-Sharif, Faisal Salhab, Shergo Al-Kurdi and Othman Almulla fell short of making the cut

RIYADH: Moroccan amateur Adam Bresnu is in contention at the halfway stage of the PIF Saudi International after posting a solid three-under 68, after a stellar opening round 66, to lie three shots off the lead that is being held by a group of four that includes Cam Smith.

Moroccan amateur Adam Bresnu continued his incredible run of recent form at the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, and the confident youngster admits his goal is to see off some of the biggest names in golf and win the season-ending tournament on The International Series.

Not only did the 20-year-old make the cut, he now sits just three shots off the halfway lead at T11 on eight under after shooting four birdies and just dropping the one shot in a three-under second round.

That leaves Bresnu hot on the heels of the leading pack that includes 2022 Open champion Cam Smith, Chilean sensation Joaquin Niemann, current International Series Rankings leader Peter Uihlein and promising American Logan McAllister.

Bresnu, who recently stormed to the Pan Arab Championship title in the UAE, also made the cut last week at a star-studded International Series Qatar. He said: “To be honest I know my game and I know what I am capable of and I’m pretty sure I belong here. I know my game: I can shoot really low, and go low four rounds straight if I respect the course and my routine.

“I think everyone knows my goal for this week. Right now it is to win for sure but I have to play some really good golf.”

The International Series offers opportunities for emerging regional talent to experience elite level golf on the Asian Tour, and this week gives Bresnu the chance to rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in world golf. Although he is determined to beat them, Bresnu is also using the experience to learn as much as possible.

He said: “Yes definitely, I’m trying to pick up as much as I can. Cam Smith is just amazing, I looked at his putting stroke and it is really pure. I am not trying to be like him, but I am trying to do something similar.

“Also Joaquin Niemann, his wedge game is unreal and DJ (Dustin Johnson) his swing — all of them. I am trying to see how they are, how they practice and how they react on the course. It’s also good to see where I’m at, and from what I saw, I’m not that far, and that is a good thing.”

Bresnu is proud to be flying the flag for Arab golf after the local representatives, Khalid Attieh, Saud Al-Sharif, Faisal Salhab, Shergo Al-Kurdi and Othman Almulla fell short of making the cut.

He said: “It is an honor, not just for Morocco but also for a lot of countries and Arabs. My goal is to say to the world that we are here and we have players and the talent and the level to make it. I might be the first one but my goal is to prepare the future, so we have more chance to bring players on the tour.”


Saudi minister of sports attends WADA meetings in Riyadh

Saudi minister of sports attends WADA meetings in Riyadh
Updated 05 December 2024
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Saudi minister of sports attends WADA meetings in Riyadh

Saudi minister of sports attends WADA meetings in Riyadh
  • WADA executive committee meeting on Wednesday included a dedicated session centered on Asia
  • Meetings reflect the Kingdom’s and Ministry of Sport’s efforts to support international initiatives

RIAYDH: Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, minister of sport and member of the World Anti-Doping Agency, attended on Thursday the WADA meetings, which the ministry hosted over two days in Riyadh.
Presided over by Witold Banka, WADA’s president, the meetings addressed updates on international policies and strategies, the development of mechanisms for enforcing regulations, and the adoption of the agency’s 2025–2029 strategic plan.
The 2025 budget was also approved, underscoring a commitment to upholding the highest standards of sports integrity, a media statement said.
The WADA executive committee meeting on Wednesday included a dedicated session centered on Asia and was attended by prominent international sports leaders and experts.
The meetings reflect the Kingdom’s and the Ministry of Sport’s efforts to support international initiatives aimed at fostering a fair and transparent sporting environment, combating doping, and enhancing the global sports landscape.
WADA was established in 1999 as a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the integrity of sports through anti-doping efforts.
The agency collaborates with international sports organizations and is governed by a foundation board comprising 42 members, including 21 ministers and 21 representatives from international Olympic committees, federations, athletes and national anti-doping organizations.


Zimbabwe pip Pakistan in T20 thriller for consolation win

Zimbabwe pip Pakistan in T20 thriller for consolation win
Updated 05 December 2024
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Zimbabwe pip Pakistan in T20 thriller for consolation win

Zimbabwe pip Pakistan in T20 thriller for consolation win
  • Pakistan was seeking series sweep after winning the first two matches by 57 runs and 10 wickets respectively
  • Pakistan, who also beat Zimbabwe 2-1 in ODI series, now head to South Africa for eight-match all-formats tour

BULAWAYO: Zimbabwe grabbed a consolation two-wicket victory over Pakistan in a thrilling final Twenty20 international on Thursday, with tailender Richard Ngarava getting them over the line with one ball to spare.
Pakistan, seeking a series sweep after winning the first two matches by 57 runs and 10 wickets respectively, rested several key players and made 132-7 off 20 overs in Bulawayo.
Zimbabwe responded strongly initially with opener Brian Bennett scoring 43, but the Pakistan bowlers hit back and the loss of home captain Sikandar Raza (19) spelt trouble.
Needing 12 runs from the last over for victory, Tinotenda Maposa struck a four, a six and a single to level the scores with three balls remaining.
Tashinga Musekiwa was caught by Tayyab Tahir off the bowling of Jahandad Khan to increase the tension at the Queens Sports Club.
Ngarava then became the hero, striking the penultimate ball back toward Khan. It hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end and deflected to mid-off for the winning run as Zimbabwe reached 133-8.
Top scorer Bennett said: “We have got Afghanistan from next week in all formats so it is nice to win and establish some momentum.”
Pakistan skipper Salman Agha reserved special praise for batter Saim Ayub and wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem after the two white-ball series victories.
“I think Saim and Sufiyan have long futures ahead and will serve Pakistan for many years. Saim has been playing all three formats and doing really well. Sufiyan too.”
Bennett hit a six and six fours in his knock as he took Zimbabwe to 73-2 before wickets started to fall regularly.
Agha was the leading Pakistan scorer with a 32 that included three fours while Blessing Muzarabani took two wickets for Zimbabwe.
Pakistan, who also beat Zimbabwe 2-1 in a one-day international series, now head to South Africa for an eight-match all-formats tour that starts on December 10 with a Twenty20 international.